George Zimmerman and the Art of Interrogation

By Ta-Nehisi Coates

On a parting note for the day, I really want to (again) urge everyone to listen to the audio posted at the Times site. The interrogation tapes are really illuminating and ultimately heartening. I don't want to say much more, but please give them a listen.

Chris Serino, the Sanford Police Department's lead investigator on the case, is heard in one of the recordings repeatedly warning Mr. Zimmerman that public opinion, already tilting against the crime watch volunteer, would pillory him unless he could explain exactly why he felt justified in pulling the trigger at a "kid with a future."

Mr. Martin was no thug, Mr. Serino told Mr. Zimmerman: He was an athlete. His parents cared about him. He had no violent history, and he was armed with only a pack of candy and a bottle of iced tea.

"This 17-year-old boy was one of those kids who would have been a success story," Mr. Serino said. "Everybody wants to know what sets him off. He's not on PCP. He's not on anything. He's on Skittles."